Kokomo, Taylor schools affected by teens demanding change in nation’s immigration policies

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Nearly 100 students at Kokomo High School chose to walk out on Feb. 10, protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities taking place across the nation. The teens marched along Lincoln Road in front of the high school with signs and chants expressing their displeasure.

The signs held by the students made clear their positions.

“The Holocaust started as a mass deportation.

“Stop fascism. Save the Constitution”

“ICE – due process = Gestapo”

“Stop pretending your racism is patriotism”

“Don’t talk about ‘illegal’ when you voted for a felon”

“We will not be silenced”

The protesters were joined by members of Operation Blue Horizon (OBH), an activist group affiliated with the Howard County Democratic Party. One of the OBH members, Hannah Guillaume-Wenger, brought a megaphone to lead the students in their chants and slogans, and the young citizens enthusiastically responded.

One of the protesters, Grace Winegardner, expressed her support for students’ ability to be heard while advocating for those targeted by ICE raids.

“I believe that all people bleed the same color,” said Winegardner. “It shouldn’t matter if it doesn’t affect you, or even if it does. People should still be able to speak about what’s going on.”

Protester Bailey Guge took to the streets to speak in support of friends and family affected by the nation’s approach to immigration.

“I’m here because I have a lot of friends and family who are Mexican and Hispanic, and they’re starting to get conflict. They all have green cards, but they’re worried about getting taken.

“I’m just here to support them and show them that they have a right to be here, just like I do.”

The action attracted support and opposition from both the motorists driving past the protest and the school’s teachers and administrators, leaving some of the students wondering if they would face discipline for their acts of civil disobedience.

“They’re putting people in detention,” said student protester Chloe Bird. “They’re suspending people. I feel like you can always change schools. We can’t change what’s going on the world right now, but we have to try.”

Bird’s sentiment was shared by her fellow protesters, as rumors swirled throughout the student body and onto social media that the school had taken draconian measures to halt the protest.

Kokomo High School responded to the protest with a letter to parents, explaining its position. The text of that missive is included below.

At KSC, student safety and the continuity of learning are our highest priorities. We are sending this update to address circulating rumors and to ensure our families are empowered with factual information regarding school operations. While a small number of students chose to participate in a walkout this afternoon at KHS, the majority of our student body remained in their classes and followed their regular schedules.

Official Safety Status

Please be assured that if there is ever a change in the safety status of our building, families will be notified timely through our official communication channels (ParentSquare: email and/or voice/text). If you have not received an official communication from us, the school is operating under its normal, productive schedule.

Information vs. Speculation

Rumors and content on social media are often incomplete, inaccurate, and/or completely false. We ask that you wait for official KSC communication before accepting or sharing rumors and/or social media reports as fact. This ensures that we are all working with the same reliable information and prevents unnecessary confusion.

Safety and Supervision

School safety is strongest when students follow their assigned schedules and remain in supervised areas.

• Supervision: Students in their scheduled classes and activities are under the direct oversight of staff.
• Off-Campus Activity: If a student chooses to leave school areas for a public space (such as a city sidewalk), they move beyond the scope of school safety protocols and staff oversight. In these instances, students are under the guidance of their families.

Operations and Accountability

• Continued Learning: School remains secure and productive, and instructional activities continue as scheduled.
• The Student Handbook: As families acknowledged at enrollment, the Student Handbook serves as the shared guide for a successful year. If a student chooses to leave an assigned area without authorization or disrupts the school day, the situation is handled according to the standard procedures in the handbook. This includes the application of disciplinary action when school guidelines are not followed, ensuring that expectations remain consistent for every student.
• Accountability: If a student chooses to leave an assigned area without authorization or disrupts the school day, the situation is handled according to the standard handbook procedures to ensure the day remains productive.
• The Power of Official Information: The community is encouraged to look to official school messages for the facts. Social media reports can often be inaccurate or exaggerated. Staying grounded in official updates helps ensure all parties are working with the same reliable information.

KSC values the role families play as the primary guides for their students’ personal beliefs and civic participation. In partnership with our families, the district’s role is to provide the safe, supervised structure necessary for education. Maintaining this environment ensures the students remain focused on their instruction and that the orderly operation of the school day is protected.

A similar protest was planned at Taylor High School on Feb. 10. The Kokomo Lantern has reached out to Taylor Superintendent Steve Dishon for comment concerning the protest and the school’s response. The Lantern will share that statement once it is received.